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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

An Update on my Mom, Linda Bien

Well, I am slowly but surely trying to get back into the swing of things, but I just thought I would share a little update about my mom. As I said in my last post, she had a stroke while in the hospital being treated for a bladder infection that was identified as ecoli and later spilled into her bloodstream. I had taken her to her regular doctor on Thursday the 31st as a follow up to an ER visit I had taken her to that Tuesday before where she was treated for dehydration and released, but never got any better.

Her doctor that day gave us two choices: Go home, stay on the antibiotics, drink lots of water and get lots of rest, OR go back to the ER (a different, more competent one) and have them treat her again with IV fluids and do some more testing to make sure they were using the right antibiotics for her infection. I am so happy I pushed for her to be admitted to the hospital when all this started happening with the infection and that she was there when the stroke happened they believe that evening. Otherwise, I believe without a doubt that I would have found her at her home the next day, in a vegetative state or worse.

She is feeling MUCH better from the bladder/ecoli/sepsis infection and will be on IV antibiotics for at least 2 more weeks. She was moved to Reliant Rehabilitation Hospital (not far from the other hospital she was at in case of emergency) on Saturday afternoon to finally start therapy from the stroke's aftermath. As of yesterday, they were still doing their assessments to get an idea of what they need to work on.

Her left side was affected. However, she has already gained LOTS of movement in her arm, and some in her left leg. She will be learning how to walk all over again. Her mind and speech is tremendously intact other than a little attention span deficit.

The strangest thing she's been hit with, though, is a phenomenon they don't know a whole lot about called "Left Sided Neglect". Her brain no longer computes "left". It's as if it's become a whole new dimension to her. As her vision is fine, she can't see or focus on anything on the left side of anything unless she learns to "scan" to the left to look for it. She sometimes doesnt recognize her left leg, arm or side as being "hers". She can't read the left side of a clock, and will only eat things on the right side of her plate, unless prompted to look for more. It's the weirdest thing that she will have to adapt too unless, as her brain heals, it gets better on its own.

She was a real estate office manager before this happened and completely independent. Her boss had to even learn how to send an email last week in her absence as she did EVERYTHING for him! Unfortunately, he is going to have to close his business because he's just not making any money (it was going to be inevitable, but this has solidified his decision) and he is torn up over it. My mom understands, but thinks she can still be of service to him. It will be really hard when she truly realizes that the office is closed. She even thinks she will still be able to drive (although I've been told it's highly unlikely) and all she'll need to do is come up with a way to get there, 'only making right turns'!! LOL!! She still has her sense of humor!

Anyway, now that she's at the rehab hospital, I feel like she's too busy for me to hang out with her as much and I hope to be able to stamp again soon. She's supposed to be there for 2 weeks at least, and beyond that, I don't know what the situation will be. I fear for her living alone as it would be so dangerous with the left neglect. She could run into walls, or turn the wrong burner on for the stove and burn herself without knowing it. But we will have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

During all this, I have had to step away as a designer from My Favorite Things and just stick with The Cat's Pajamas and the Verve Inspiration Team to be able to have a more flexible stamping schedule.

I thank you and love all of ya'll for your support, prayers and positive wishes over the last year or so, with Eric's cancer and now my mom. It was just last March that he was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma and now this March my mom had a stroke. I vote to skip March next year. I don't see a thing wrong with having a February 1st through 59th!

I've got a couple of cards in the works...so please don't leave me just yet!

28 comments:

Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I will keep praying for your family, hoping that you see some bright hope in this. I heard just this weekend, that you may be at the worst possible point in life, but if you are still breathing, it isn't that bad. Hope that will help.

Three cheers for Linda! And for having a wonderful daughter like you, Sus. I vote 'NO' on March! And for you to have at least 12 months of no medically related stress. You deserve a break, sister! (((LOVE YOU, SUS!!!)))

Susan, I am so glad things are moving forward into a healing direction. While it sounds like there are more than a few bumps in the road, it sounds like you both are in high spirits! Amazing after what you have been through. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers and pray for full recovery! Blessings and {{{HUGS}}}

So sorry to hear about your Mom...but so glad that she seems to be in good hands and is improving! I definitely think you have earned the right to skip March next year! Hang in there and I know I will always be here waiting for you whenever you are able to fit some stamping in!

It sounds like your mother is progressing and at this point that is very good news. You've definitely had a hard year health wise and I pray that things get much, much better for you and your family. I'm sorry I won't be seeing your MFT projects but will look forward to the TCP and Verve. Good luck.

I'll continue to keep your mom in my thoughts and prayers. With my own mother in law having am major stroke almost 13 years ago, I can definitely relate to what you are going through. My MIL, wasn't discovered for who knows how long and still has side effects to this day, although she has come a LONG way.

Boy do you look like your mom! Thanks for the update on where things are at for her. I agree, March no longer exists on your calendar! However, you have had some amazing miracles in the past and I look forward to hearing of more as your mom progresses :) (((hugs)))

Susan, you sure have a lot on your plate right now. Totally understandable that you're not posting much right now. I'll pray for your mom and your family for the strength to get through this season of your lives. How is Eric doing? Hang in there girl! You'll make it!

Hang in there Susan, I suffered a stroke at 28 and it will take a long time to recover. I'm 31 now and still have short term memory days. Remember you are strong and will push through this difficult time and like your Mom keep up the high spirits. Keep working the mind and hopefully the motor skills will come back completely. Hugs & prayers. Krysta

So glad to hear of your Mom's improvement. Minesuffered several "mini" strokes before her passing, so I can appreciate your position. It's so good that she can maintain her sense ofhumor. It will surely help. Keeping your Mom in my prayers (and you, too!) Hope to see youback stamping soon....I do so love your sense ofhumor!

Susan, I am so glad to have the update about your mom. I have been thinking about her alot and hoping she was doing better. Thoughts and prayers are still coming your way for all your family as you continue to deal with all of it! Hang in there! And don't worry about the blog followers, like me, we will be there whenever you feel like creating. Love all you do!

Thank you for sharing and best wishes for your mom's full recovery. It will be a slow, gradual process, but just remember to take one day at a time. My grandfather also developed the left-sided deficit after a series of small strokes. I remember being at the Thanksgiving table and watching my dad rotate his plate around so he could see there was more food left to eat! Your mom may not regain all of her abilities, but remember that the brain and our bodies have an amazing capacity to heal and to compensate! Keep your chin up and have faith!

Thanks for the update on your mom. You look like your mom :) Glad to hear she is on the road to recovery. She is lucky to have you by her side. Capture life one moment at a time. Big hugs to you and your mom.

Oh Susan.. I am so sorry to hear this news. It sounds to me like you have an amazing mom and that you are an equally amazing daughter for the care you are giving her. My MIL had a stroke six years ago at the age of 80. We were certain that she would never be the same. Miraculously, six years later, she is better than ever. I will keep your mom and your family in my prayers. Bless her heart!Hugs!

Susan- so glad to hear your mom is doing better. I just read a book called "left neglected" by Lisa Genova, that deals with the same phenomenon that your mom is experiencing. A very good, serious yet funny book (novel) that may give you and your mom some insight and hope! So sad to see you leave MFT but glad that you are continuing with the Cats Pajamas and Verve- you need to take care of yourself too! Thinking of you,Gretchen

I hope your mom heals completely and fast. I have heard of many inspiring stories about people recuperating from strokes and I am sure your mom will be one of them. It is a challenge, and a long road ahead. I pray that you find strength to help her in the journey towards healing.

Praise God that your mom was in the hospital when the stroke happened! It sounds like it will take time but she will be ok for the most part :) It's probably been harder on you seeing your mom go thru all this stuff but you were so right to insist she stay in the hospital! Big hugs and prayers go out to you too….stay strong and know that moms alive and you have her another day :)

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It's Me Susan...

My name is Susan and I am a SAHM of 3 girls. I am married to the best guy ever and we have been together for 15 years. yay!! I love any kind of papercrafts--stamping, scrapbooking, making cards--all of it as long as I'm having fun doing it (which is most of the time)!! I'd love to hear from you! Email me at susanliles@sbcglobal.net